Man was reported missing near where remains were found in Macoupin County

Forensic tests on bones found in Macoupin County Monday are still pending, but investigators said Tuesday it’s possible the victim is a man missing for four years.

According to a statement from the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis, detectives cannot yet confirm the identity of the remains, but they’re considering the possibility that they belong to Joseph Wilson, who was reported missing near where the bones were found in an area near Illinois 159 and Prairie Dell Road south of Royal Lakes.

Wilson, 24, was a Royal Lakes resident. Macoupin County deputies took a missing person report for Wilson in the spring of 2012.

Children who were playing in the area Monday afternoon located the bones. They told their parents, who in turn called the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Department around 3:30 p.m. The Department activated the Major Case Squad.

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